Council Facilities set to go green in February

Dogwood Crossing, Miles is one of 12 Council facilities set to make the move to solar

From next month a number of Western Downs Regional Council facilities across the region will make the switch to greener, cleaner energy with Council yesterday green lighting the installation of solar panels on 12 of its high energy facilities.

In total there will be 1,940 panels installed capable of producing 737,000KW of electricity per annum;

The tender was awarded to Green Incentives Pty Ltd, who will commence with the installation of 1,940 panels capable of producing 737,000KW of electricity per annum;

This investment in greener energy solutions for our facilities will see Council’s electricity costs slashed and will save an estimated $4.5 million in operational costs over the next 25 years;

Leading by example, Western Downs Regional Council is taking a forward thinking approach to improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and create many long-term benefits for our communities.

Spokesperson for Council Facilities Councillor Ray Brown said with the arrival of renewable energy in the Western Downs the time is now for Council to improve energy resilience through strategic investment in solar technology.

“Moving to solar energy to power our facilities was an easy decision to make, and it’s great to see Council’s Solar Implementation Program start to become a reality with the awarding of the tender for works at today’s Meeting,” he said.

“From next month, we’ll start to see works commence on the installation of solar panels on 12 of our facilities, with Council and our communities able to reap the benefits almost instantly.

“In the first year of delivery we can expect to see a 48 per cent return on investment, with an added environmental benefit of reducing Council’s greenhouse gas emissions by 606 tonnes per year.

“This is equivalent to effectively offsetting the emissions produced by 90 medium sized diesel passenger vehicles.

“By joining the renewable energy revolution we’re finding more innovative ways to become more sustainable and cost effective, setting our communities up for a greener, cleaner future.”

The Council facilities to switch to clean, green solar energy by 30 June 2017 are: